About the Peace Scholarship Program

International education plays a critical role in building global peace and understanding. To enhance this role, IDP has initiated a new scholarship scheme, the Peace Scholarship Program.

The Peace Scholarship Program is committed to providing opportunities for eligible students in selected countries worldwide to study abroad in Australia for one or two semesters.

The Program operates on the principle that providing this opportunity will promote the interaction of diverse cultures through international education opportunities, improve cross-cultural understanding and lead to enduring global peace. At a later stage, the Program will also provide opportunities for Australian students to study abroad.

The idea originated at the Australian International Education Conference in 2001 in Sydney in response to the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington.

Less than two per cent of students enrolled in higher education globally have the chance to benefit from studying abroad. The Peace Scholarship Program aims to provide international educational opportunities to deserving students from selected countries who would not otherwise have the option.

The initial focus of the Program is Study Abroad Scholarships as well as Postgraduate Scholarships for international students to study in Australia for one semester or two semesters.

118 Students have benefited from the Program to date, commencing undergraduate or postgraduate studies in Australia each semester since July 2004.
These recipients have come from Afghanistan, Cambodia, Colombia, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Mexico and South Africa.

Most Australian universities are strongly committed to the initiative. We plan to extend the scholarships to other Australian education sectors and level of study.

We are pleased that over $6 million has already been committed up to 2007 from a wide variety of organisations . However, to realise the full potential of the Peace Scholarship Program, we are continuing to seek support and sponsorship from all areas - the education sectors, corporations, individuals and community. All donations of money and property to the Peace Scholarship Trust - one of the Trust's that facilitates the Program -are tax deductible in Australia. Find out how you can support the Program here.

Australia and Australian education institutions have benefited enormously from international students since the mid 1980s and the Peace Scholarship Program provides the opportunity for individuals and organisations to give something back, which will bring long-term global benefits.